Date: June 17, 2009
Contact: Carol Connelly, Director,
Media & Communication Services, ext. 5267, cconnelly@pnc.edu
PNC 10 Years of Odyssey Highlighted in Commemorative Book
WESTVILLE – The Purdue University North Central Odyssey sculpture series celebrates its 10 th anniversary in a new commemorative book entitled, “Odyssey 1999 – 2009/Celebrating Ten Years of Sculpture” featuring 56 pages of full color photographs of every sculpture exhibited at PNC as part of the Odyssey series.
This keepsake book features photographs of each of the 105 sculptures that have graced the PNC campus in the past 10 years. The sculptures include the 70-foot-tall “Star Pointer;” the whimsical “Sunflower Family” and Chamber Muse Synesthesia,” the thought provoking “Haints+History” and “Travels of my Seven Sisters,” the illuminated “Rainbow Flyer” and “Eye Candy,” the breathtaking “Emilee,” “Daphne” and “Demeter” and the visually provocative ”Arasise Rising” and “Point of You.”
Books are available for purchase for $55.53. To purchase a book, contact Rose Pomeroy in PNC Campus Relations at 785-5200, ext. 5268 or rpomeroy@pnc.edu .
The book was published using funds donated to underwrite those expenses. All proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the Odyssey Sculpture Fund.
The PNC Odyssey art series debuted in October, 1999 as “Millennia Nexus,” an exhibit of 10 large-scale outdoor sculpture pieces on campus. Each October since then, a new show has opened. In 2000 the show became known as Odyssey – an ended adventurous journey. And each fall since then, the Odyssey exhibit would feature 10 to 13 new sculptures, along with an increasing number of resident sculptures. Today, the 2008 – 2009 Odyssey series includes a total of 34 sculptures that grace the 268-acre campus.
While the Odyssey exhibit was created as an outdoor exhibit, through the years a number of pieces have been displayed inside the buildings on campus. That includes the sculptures in the recently-acquired gift of a collection by noted 20 th century artist George Sugarman, permanently housed at PNC. And one piece – Odysseus – floats on a pond on the PNC campus.
The sculpture exhibition at PNC is directed by Judy Jacobi, PNC assistant vice chancellor for Marketing and Community Relations. “The PNC campus is a natural location for art,” said Jacobi. “The beautiful park-like grounds present a lovely setting that complements our large, striking pieces. We've been careful to place our sculptures so that our students and guests are able to enjoy them from the time they arrive on campus and as they move to and from classes and campus activities. Through the years it seems that most of our students, faculty and staff each have a favorite sculpture.”
S. Thomas Scarff has been exhibit curator for the entire 10 years. An artist himself, Scarff has challenged himself to bring a variety of sculptors and styles to the show. “Through the use of materials such as steel, concrete, glass, wood, stone, light and earth, the works engage the viewer from many perspectives,” said Scarff.
“It is my hope that PNC will continue to invite and encourage sculptures of high standards to exhibit their extraordinary works here.”
Guests are welcome to campus to view the sculpture. Maps for a self-guided tour can be found at http://www.pnc.edu/odyssey/ . Individuals or groups who would like a guided tour may contact Jacobi at 785-5200, ext. 5593.
Countless thousands of guests have toured PNC to enjoy the sculptures, said Jacobi. School children from as close as Michigan City, LaPorte and Westville to Valparaiso, Hobart, Gary and East Chicago have come to campus to enjoy the sculpture.
“Many of the students remember their favorite sculptures from year to year,” said Jacobi. “If a sculpture is moved or is no longer on display, the students will ask about it. The sculptures have become a part of their lives.”
For many of the young guests, this is their first visit to a college campus. “Most of them vow that they will attend PNC, and I look forward to seeing them here in class,” said Jacobi.
To obtain further information about this exhibit or the Odyssey Arts and Cultural Events Series, contact Jacobi. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Jacobi.
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